Gifted and Talented Education

The Extended Studies Program provides direct services to qualifying elementary gifted and talented students who have demonstrated outstanding intellectual and academic ability. The primary goal is to provide services that are commensurate with student academic needs and to foster a positive self-image. The program focuses on the development of intellectual skills, intellectual curiosity, independence, and responsibility while encouraging originality and creativity. Students in first and second grade receive up to 1.5 hours of direct service per week. Students in grades three through six receive up to 2.5 hours of direct service per week. Seven certified teachers provide direct services to approximately 400 students in our district.

EXTENDED STUDIES PROGRAMDirect Services for Identified Students in Grades 1-6

Starting Date: Direct services to identified students begin the second week of school.

Screening for direct services: March-May In March, teachers screen their students using TABS – a researched based teacher screening tool (traits, attributes, and behaviors)

Permission to test is requested in April or May

Students identified through TABS for further testing, are an intelligence quotient indicator

Students scoring lower than the 95%ile on the IQ indicator– testing is stopped – parents are notified that their child does not qualify for services

Students scoring at or above the 95%ile on the IQ indicator – testing continues with achievement testing

Achievement testing in math and reading (K-2 Terra Nova, 3-6 NWEA)

Students with achievement scores below the 95%ile - parents notified that their child does notqualify for services

Students with achievement scores above the 95%ile in either math or reading parents will be notified of the placement for the following year

Necessary Scores for Qualification:

Objective Scores:Using the following 2 criteria:Intelligence Indicator-at or above the 95th %ile (administered by Extended Studies teachers)Achievement Test - 95th %ile or above in either Reading or Math

OR

Using the following 2 criteria:Intelligence Indicator- IQ score of 130 or above as tested by psychologists or other qualified professionalsAchievement Test - 95th %ile or above in either Reading or Math​Optional Input:TABs--teacher screening toolStrength Assessment--parent input

The screening process for Extended Studies takes place in the spring. At various times throughout the year, students from other districts enroll in our schools and indicate that they were in a gifted program at their previous schools. Gifted programs vary greatly from district to district, state to state. To qualify and be placed immediately in Extended Studies, students' records must contain information that meets our qualifying criteria. For example, if students have achievement scores in reading or math at the 95%ile, but no IQ scores, we may opt to administer the intelligence indicator to determine placement or non-placement.